The insights from my meditation experiment (read my previous article first)

My Sensa article from July 2014.

Water always flows down the path of least resistance. It will never struggle. It will never choose a path that is not the most natural for it. It flows freely and uses no effort on its way. This is one of the realizations I had during the "home meditation retreat" I did by myself a little earlier this year. I promised to share some realizations I had, so this is the theme for this article. The experience I had was very powerful but also personal, so I'll do my best in sharing  it accurately. It's not that I don't feel comfortable sharing it, but it could be a little challenging to bring it all to this rational level, the level of the mind. Writing down your inner thoughts and inner experiences is a great practice though. It will make things more clear. 

"Home meditation retreat" 
I wrote about this "home meditation retreat" in the July's issue and I recommend you read it through to get an understanding of the very interesting process I was involved with. Shortly said, I was pulled into a deep dialogue with myself. I asked questions by writing and as I was writing them down, answers were coming into my mind. I wrote them down as well. Most of July's article was actually written in this half meditative state. It was a free flow of thoughts and ideas, but not a lot of explanations. Now I hope to do that. 

Creative impulse
The main answer to the many questions I asked was somehow related to this thing called the creative impulse. "Find the creative impulse." At first I didn't really understand what it meant, but that statement started to make sense quite soon and now it's almost like a mantra that I repeat. When I'm not quite sure what to do or what to think, I tell myself to find the creative impulse. When I follow the impulse, I know I'm doing the right thing. 

So what does it mean? Especially, what does it mean to me? During the two to three day dialogue with myself, I came to the knowing (not just understanding) that human beings are creative beings and if we connect with our deeper knowing, our inner truth, we can truly create a life that we can call a masterpiece. Not that life is a static thing like the word masterpiece might imply, but rather a constantly evolving process where creativity and action will lead to an experience of some sort. Finding the creative impulse means finding inspiration and enthusiasm in the moment. It's a sign to us that we are aligned with our inner truth, with our inner meaning. Yes, I have come to believe that we all have a special meaning in this universe. There is something that resonates with each one of us and when we start align our life according to this resonation, life starts to make sense. You become aligned with who you really are. You start to live your own life, your purpose, not somebody else's. 

Something is still missing... Ok, here we go. What specific skills do you have? We all have some, but we might not be aware of them or we might have forgotten about them. These skills are the tools we can use after we have gotten a better understanding of the big picture. When we understand what we are supposed to be doing here. So let's say that my skills are equivalent to a hammer, nails and an ax. These tools could lay around my house for decades, with no work, if I don't know what I'm supposed to do with them. It's when I realize that I'm a boat builder that I can put my tools to real use. Do you know who/what you are?

That was what I was waiting for. The metaphor of the tools brought something important to this subject. Are your tools laying around your house with no work? Do you have some special skills that you have forgotten about? These special skills you have and the inspirational moments you sometimes experience, are the messengers to you of your inner meaning. If writing feels very easy for you and if you feel inspired when you write into your diary or your secret blog, maybe writing is somehow connected with your inner meaning, your inner truth. Use a moment to think about your life. Has there been something that you loved to do, which felt natural, which inspired you? Maybe you should give it another try. Maybe it can be more meaningful for you than just a hobby?

When I received the answers of "find the creative impulse", it meant this. To become aware of what it is that makes my heart sing. To notice that sign of enthusiasm and inspiration, and to trust it and take action based on it. To understand my special skills and to use them as tools to create a beautiful boat that can somehow serve the world. 

Creative impulse and the principle of giving and receiving
When we connect with our inner meaning, when we find the moment of inspiration and experience the impulse of creativity, we are able to give without the expectation of receiving. This will transform our life. When you can give freely, with no expectations, you will be connected to the universal principle of giving and receiving. You will do what you do because you feel the inner (hearts) desire to do it, which means that you give yourself to the universe. You give your creative power and your creative skills to the world with no mental idea of "what's in it for me". It's like you are willing to open up your heart and give everything you have to the world. No logic, no reasons, no mental commentary, just pure giving from the deepest part or yourself, the creative heart. So what do you get back? It's not really of any importance anymore. The act of giving is the receiving. But because the universe is all about movement, the free giving I described above will connect you to the flow of the universe. Give all, receive all. It's just logical. 

I know some (or all) of this sounds a little weird but I can't explain it any other way. I experience this in the level of my heart and as a physical experience in my body, but it's really hard to make it into a conscious rational thought. My advice is this. Read this without trying to understand it. Try to feel it. 

One last thing about giving and receiving. When you do connect with your inner truth and give like I described above, you will create something that the universe needs. It is something that you are supposed to bring to this world. That is why it's so important. We are creating this universe together. Let's just understand what we are supposed to bring into it, and then just do it. No fear. 

Expansion and evolution
I see I'm running out of space again, so it seems I need to continue this theme at least in the next issue. Before I end this article I want to share a few words about one very important thing. The nature of this universe. This is important and extremely interesting because when you understand the nature of this universe, you start to get an understanding why creativity has such an important role in our life. 

The universe is constantly changing. It's growing, evolving and expanding. This process of growth and expansion requires an opposite force, the force which breaks down forms, both animate and inanimate. Creativity is the process that brings something new to this universe. Dissolution is the process that breaks things down. Death is the final process of dissolution (on this physical universe) and I have written about it many times. Now I just wanted to remind you of the opposite process. Everything is constantly changing. It's either growing or slowly breaking down, dying. What do you want your life to be like? Don't misunderstand me. Dissolution and death is required for growth, expansion and evolution to happen, but if you don't connect with the creative aspect of your being, you might notice that your life becomes a slow process of dissolution. It doesn't matter what phase you are on. Your body might be young and growing or old and breaking down. The possibility for creation is always there. The source of creation is timeless. 

Namaste,
Jocke